Teenspace
Calling All Teen Filmmakers!
Posted on December 01, 2021
Sonoma County Library is having its second annual SCL Teenage Film Festival! Are you an amateur filmmaker? Has TikTok or YouTube awakened your passion for cinema? All Sonoma County teens ages 12 to 19 are invited to compete. Take some time over the winter break to shoot and edit your own 6-minute masterpiece. A jury will review all submitted entries and select films screened at the festival. Prizes will be awarded for the top films.
New to filmmaking? Join award-winning film producer Malinalli Lopez for a week-long series of workshops where you will learn how to write, edit, and direct a short film using your own cell phone!
Accepting submissions now through Feb. 1, 2022, please visit: https://filmfreeway.com/SCLTeenFilmFestival
Official Rules:
- All short films must be written, directed, and edited by teens ages 12 to 19.
- The filmmaker/director must be a resident of Sonoma County.
- All entries must be teen-produced, and may be either a group project or individual work.
- Adult guidance and instruction are permissible, but the planning and production must reflect teen effort. Note, however, that adults may act in and assist with your film.
- Films may be on any topic, but must be G or PG rated in language and subject matter, as defined by the Motion Pictures Association, or they will be disqualified.
G – General Audiences
All ages admitted. Nothing that would offend parents for viewing by children.
PG – Parental Guidance Suggested
Some material may not be suitable for children. Parents urged to give "parental guidance". May contain some material parents might not like for their young children. - Title pages and credits should be included in your film.
- Unless relevant to the plot, please do not include bloopers in your submitted film.
- Films may be no more than 6 minutes in length including credits.
- Use of sound or video clips from other films, television shows, music videos, etc. within your submitted work is not permitted unless those clips are in the public domain or you have received written permission from the copyright holder. This includes the use of trademarked products or characters.
- Filmmakers can also use their own original music. Additionally, copyright-free, public domain, trade-friendly or creative commons copyright music can be used.
- Each filmmaker may submit up to two, and no more than, two films.
- All new footage should be made while following Sonoma County’s social distancing guidelines.
Legal Disclaimers:
By entering your film into the Sonoma County Library Teen Film Festival, the applicant agrees to all rules and regulations as defined in the official festival rules.
The applicant also grants a non-exclusive license, throughout the world and in perpetuity, to the Library to:
- Show their film to a non-paying public at a future Sonoma County Library Teen Film Festival, other partner festivals and promotional events.
- Display the film, in part or in its entirety, on the Sonoma County Library website, video streaming websites, and/or Sonoma County Library website and Facebook page.
December’s Virtual Teen Pride Club: Queer Cozy Food Books
Posted on December 01, 2021
Our Virtual Pride Club for Teens ages 13-18 continues this month with the theme of queer cozy food books & cozy books with lots of food! This month we are getting cozy with some books, tv shows, movies, and podcasts that make us want to curl up with a blanket, a steaming cup of tea, and some tasty snacks. Pick out a book from the list below, or choose something else and share it with us. We will be meeting online at 4:00 pm every Tuesday in December. New participants are always welcome! For more information, email teenpride@sonomalibrary.org.
To register for the December Virtual Teen Pride Club, follow the links below:
For a complete list of December Teen Pride Club events.
Our Recommendations:
(Hint: click on the book covers to go to the library catalog)
For more comforting and cozy queer reads, check out our past post about Queer YA Romance & Beach Reads!
Land Acknowledgement:
We invite everyone to take a moment to honor these ancestral lands that we are collectively gathered upon and encourage all of us to think of ways to become better stewards of the lands we inhabit. We acknowledge our libraries occupy the traditional homelands of the Coast Miwok, Kashaya, Southern Pomo, and Wappo tribal nations, whose descendants still live here today. We recognize the historical and ongoing violence of settler colonialism and affirm Indigenous sovereignty. We will continue to hold ourselves accountable to the needs of the Indigenous people of Sonoma County, California, and beyond.
November’s Virtual Teen Pride Club: Queer Indigenous Representation
Posted on November 05, 2021
Our Virtual Pride Club for Teens ages 13-18 continues this month with the theme of Queer Indigenous Representation! There aren’t many queer Indigenous YA books published out there, so we are including some information about the Native tribes local to the Sonoma County area. The lack of representation of Indigenous own voices, and the violence that happens to Indigenous folks today makes it extremely important to learn about and take action to support Indigenous communities.
For more information about the current sovereignty and revitalization efforts of local Native tribes, please see:
- Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians
- Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians
- Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
- Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria
- Koi Nation of Northern California
- Lytton Band of Pomo Indians
- Wappo
Pick out a book from the list below, or choose something else and share it with us. We will be meeting online at 4:00 pm every Tuesday in November. New participants are always welcome! For more information, email teenpride@sonomalibrary.org.
To register for the November Virtual Teen Pride Club, follow the links below:
For a complete list of November Teen Pride Club events.
The author(s) acknowledge(s) that they are descendant(s) not of Native people but of setter-colonialists. We recognize the historical and ongoing violence of settler colonialism, and affirm Indigenous sovereignty. We recognize that our library buildings/facilities are on stolen land. We will continue to hold ourselves accountable to the needs of the Indigenous people of Sonoma County, California, and beyond. The author(s) would welcome comments or corrections from members of Native communities, particularly the Coast Miwok, Kashaya, Southern Pomo, and Wappo tribal nations.
Our Recommendations:
(Hint: click on the book covers to go to the library catalog)
Love after the End
edited by Joshua Whitehead
(he/him)
Two-Spirit, Oji-nêhiyaw member of the
Peguis First Nation
(available as an ebook only)
October’s Virtual Teen Pride Club: Queer Horror, Thriller, and the Supernatural
Posted on October 04, 2021
Our Virtual Pride Club for Teens ages 13-18 continues this month with the theme of queer horror, thriller, and supernatural books, movies, and podcasts. As the weather gets cooler and the nights get longer, it's the perfect time to cuddle up with a creepy book or tv show and a hot cup of tea! Pick out a queer horror, thriller,or supernatural book from the list below, or choose something else and share it with us. We will be meeting online at 4:00 pm every Tuesday in October. New participants are always welcome! For more information, email teenpride@sonomalibrary.org.
To register for the October Virtual Teen Pride Club, follow the links below:
- October 5
- October 12
- October 19
- October 26
Our Recommendations:
(Hint: click on the book covers to go to the library catalog)
September’s Virtual Teen Pride Club: Queer Latinx Voices
Posted on September 01, 2021
Our Virtual Pride Club for Teens ages 13-18 continues this month with the theme of Queer Latinx Voices! Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15-October 15, and is a time to recognize and honor the histories, culture, and contributions of Hispanic or Latinx folks. We will be meeting online at 4:00 pm every Tuesday in September. New participants are always welcome! For more information, email teenpride@sonomalibrary.org.
To register for the September Virtual Teen Pride Club, follow the links below:
- September 7
- September 14
- September 21
- September 28
Our Recommendations:
(Hint: click on the book covers to go to the library catalog)
Famous Queer Latinx icons to celebrate, this month and all yearlong!
Violet Chachki
(she/her/they/them)
Drag Queen and 2015 Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Rosario Dawson
(she/her)
Actress and Producer
Bianca Del Rio
(she/her)
Drag Queen and 2014 Winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Felicia Elizondo
(she/her)
Activist and Present at the 1966 San Francisco Compton’s Cafeteria Riot
Renee Goust
(she/they)
Singer/Songwriter
Juana Inés de la Cruz
(she/her)
Writer, Philosopher, Composer, Poet, and Hieronyite Nun
Frida Kahlo
(she/her)
Artist
Carmen Maria Machado
(she/her)
Author and 2017 Winner of the Lambda Literary Award
Ricky Martin
(he/him)
Singer/Pop Star
Melanie Martinez
(she/her)
Singer/Songwriter
Donna Personna
(she/her)
Transgender Rights Activist and Artist
Sylvia Rivera
(she/her)
Activist and Veteran of the 1969 Stonewall Inn Uprising
Michelle Rodriguez
(she/her)
Actress
José Sarria
(he/him)
First openly gay candidate for public office in the U.S., Drag Queen, and Political Activist
Kali Uchis
(she/her)
Singer/Songwriter
Stand up to Bullying!
Posted on August 12, 2021
As schools are returning to in-person learning many of you will be facing new and challenging social experiences. Having been a teenager in the age of the internet, I know that bullying happens. In fact, according to stopbullying.gov 20% of teenagers nationwide will experience some sort of bullying.
We are not meeting for Social Justice Club this month (an event we normally have on Thursday 4-5 over Zoom to discuss social issues and how teens can make a difference). However, I thought it might be fun to still address the issue of bullying through a digital escape room. If you are bored and looking to learn about how to stand up to bullying check it out here: http://sticksandstonescyberbullying.weebly.com/. Hope you enjoy it and have a great first month of school!
August’s Virtual Teen Pride Club: Self-Care
Posted on July 29, 2021
Our Virtual Pride Club for Teens ages 13-18 continues this month with the theme of self-care! With school starting up again, it is important to take care of yourself and practice healthy self-care strategies. Check out this librarian compiled selection of nonfiction mental health books and queer feel-good YA books, self-care ideas, and community resources. We will be meeting online at 4:00 pm every Tuesday in August. New participants are always welcome! Attendees of this month’s Virtual Teen Pride Club will also receive a special Self-Care bundle with crafts and personalized bookmarks. For more information, email teenpride@sonomalibrary.org.
To register for the August Teen Pride Club, follow the links below:
- August 3rd
- August 10th
- August 17th
- August 24th
- August 31st
Mental health and queer nonfiction:
(Hint: click on the book covers to go to the library catalog)
For some feel-good queer YA with happy endings, check out last month’s blog!
https://sonomalibrary.org/blogs/teenspace/julys-virtual-teen-pride
Self-Care ideas:
- Take a walk
- Meditate
- Talk to a friend
- Read a good book
- Take a nap
- Make a healthy snack or meal
- Cuddle with a pet
- Journal
- Take a break from social media/your phone
- Get some sun
- Drink water
- Get creative: write, draw, paint, dance, play music, etc.
- Stretch/do yoga
- Watch something funny (laugh!)
Community Resources:
- SAY-Social Advocates for Youth
https://www.saysc.org/ - West County Teen Clinic
https://www.wchealth.org/location/forestville-teen-clinic/ - Positive Images
https://www.posimages.org/ - Nami
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog?categoryname=GLBT - Nami Sonoma County
https://namisonomacounty.org/your-journey/identity-and-cultural-dimensions/for-lgbtq/ - LGBTQ Connection
https://www.lgbtqconnection.org/ - Verity: Sonoma County’s Rape Crisis, Trauma, and Healing Center
https://www.ourverity.org/
Hotlines:
July’s Virtual Teen Pride Club: Queer YA Romance & Beach Reads
Posted on June 23, 2021
Our Virtual Pride Club for Teens ages 13-18 continues this month with the theme of Queer YA Romance & Beach Reads! July is the height of summer, so it is time to let your mind relax and get lost in some absorbing stories. You can select books, movies, tv shows, and other media based on recommendations by librarians, or choose whatever feels beachy to you! We will be meeting online at 4:00pm every Tuesday in July. New participants are always welcome! For more information, email teenpride@sonomalibrary.org.
To register for the June Teen Pride Club, follow the links below:
- July 6th
- July 13th
- July 20th
- July 27th
Our Recommendations:
(Hint: click on the book covers to go to the library catalog)
June Social Justice Club
Posted on June 03, 2021
Social Justice Club in June
As many of you are no doubt aware, the month of June is Pride Month. We are celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community with our monthly topic discussing how far the United States has come on the road to Trans rights, how far we still have to go, and how to be an ally on the journey ahead! As always, we encourage you to read more on our topic to get a well-rounded perspective and be able to contribute to the conversation. Register for our Social Justice Club here. Below are some books, movies, and graphic novels we suggest:
(available on Hoopla and DVD)
Nothing in society today is changing more than gender terminology, from LGBTQ, gay, homosexual, transsexual, transgender and more the terminology is changing constantly. Lift the veil on the world and explore the secrets of a world most misunderstand.
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out
(also on Libby)
"Author and photographer Susan Kuklin met and interviewed six transgender or gender-neutral young adults and used her considerable skills to represent them thoughtfully and respectfully before, during, and after their personal acknowledgment of gender preference. Portraits, family photographs, and candid images grace the pages, augmenting the emotional and physical journey each youth has taken. Each honest discussion and disclosure, whether joyful or heartbreaking, is completely different from the other because of family dynamics, living situations, gender, and the transition these teens make in recognition of their true selves." -- Amazon.com, viewed February 12, 2014.
Transgender History: The Roots of Today’s Revolution
"Covering American transgender history from the mid-twentieth century to today, Transgender History takes a chronological approach to the subject of transgender history, with each chapter covering major movements, writings, and events." -- Provided by publisher.
Stonewall: Breaking Out in the Fight For Gay Rights
(also on Libby)
"A dramatic retelling of the Stonewall riots of 1969, introducing teen readers to the decades-long struggle for gay rights" -- Provided by publisher.
(also available on Hoopla and Libby)
"One teenager in a skirt. One teenager with a lighter. One moment that changes both of their lives forever. If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met." -- Amazon.com.
(also on Libby and BOCD)
Amanda Hardy only wants to fit in at her new school, but she is keeping a big secret, so when she falls for Grant, guarded Amanda finds herself yearning to share with him everything about herself, including her previous life as Andrew.
David Piper, always an outsider, forms an unlikely friendship with Leo Denton who, from the first day at his new school wants only to be invisible, but when David's deepest secret gets out, that he wants to be a girl, things get very messy for both of them.
A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities
"Covering essential topics like sexuality, gender identity, coming out, and navigating relationships, this guide explains the spectrum of human experience through informative comics, interviews, worksheets, and imaginative examples. A great starting point for anyone curious about queer and trans life, and helpful for those already on their own journeys!"--Page 4 of cover.
June's Virtual Teen Pride Club: Everything PRIDE!
Posted on May 26, 2021
Our Virtual Pride Club for Teens ages 13-18 continues this month with the theme of Everything PRIDE! In the LGBTQ+ community, June is a time to celebrate and remember events such as the Stonewall Riots and the Compton Cafeteria Riot, and all other times queer people have fought for their right to lead the life they deserve. At Pride Club we celebrate our queerness year round, but we are excited to take it to the next level during June!
This month we are celebrating Pride Month with books, movies, TV shows, and other media that are about the history of pride, and also simply about loving yourself and being proud of yourself. In addition to our regular discussions, we will be doing a take and make craft and giving participating teens goodie bags with swag such as Pride flag pins, pronoun pins, and other rainbow goodness. As usual, we will be meeting online at 4:00pm every Tuesday in June. For more information, email teenpride@sonomalibrary.org.
To register for the June Teen Pride Club, follow the links below:
- June 1st
- June 8th
- June 15th
- June 22nd with special guests from SAY-Social Advocates for Youth
- June 29th
Our Recommendations:
(Hint: click on the book covers to go to the library catalog)
And, watch LGBTQ+ Documentaries for free with your library card on our movie streaming service, Kanopy!
https://sonomalibrary.kanopy.com
